GOP mute as Supreme Court tackles gay marriage — House Republican leaders had a uniform response to the Supreme Court's decision to take up gay marriage: Silence. — The high court's decision last week to hear two cases relating to same-sex marriage puts that issue at the center of the national debate.

Government Shutdown Watch — I wanted to quickly follow up on that Mother of All Government Shutdowns on deck for February(ish). As noted earlier, the President says he will not allow another round of debt limit hostage taking. It's been ambiguous to me just what the President means by this.

Angry with Obama, GOP threatens political war next year — Washington (CNN) — They are losing the battle over higher taxes on the wealthy, so now Republicans are threatening a political war next year when it comes time to raise the nation's debt ceiling. — With cracks appearing …

Two Cheers for Zero Dark Thirty's Torture Scenes — One scene features a bloodied, disoriented and humiliated man is strapped to a wall with his pants around his ankles. A second scene depicts the same man having liquid forcibly poured down his throat; later, he's shoved into a box that could barely hold your stereo.

First on CNN: Haley finalizes short list for DeMint seat — Washington (CNN) - South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has whittled down the list of people she is considering for Jim DeMint's soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat to five people, a Republican close to the governor told CNN on Tuesday.

White House drops support for major Medicaid cut — The Obama administration backed away Monday from roughly $100 billion in Medicaid savings it had proposed during deficit-reduction talks earlier this year. — The move comes as liberals have pressed the White House to take Medicaid off …

NO SHOTS FIRED: STATE DEPT BENGHAZI SECURITY FORCE UNARMED — A source with personal knowledge of the security situation in Benghazi told Breitbart News that Senators who listened to closed door testimony about the Benghazi attack were shocked to learn State Department security personnel agents were not immediately armed.

‘Dr. No’ of Senate says ‘yes’ to taxes — The Oklahoma senator and obstetrician known as “Dr. No” has taken on the most unlikely of roles: getting Republicans to say “yes” to tax hikes. — Tom Coburn, who has blocked dozens of bills, infuriated Democratic leaders and been on the lopsided end …

Panel Recommends that Maine Prosecutor be Suspended … Assistant Hancock County District Attorney Mary Kellett is being recommended for suspension by a panel of the Maine Board of Bar Overseers. Created by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, the board governs the conduct of lawyers.

In Talks, House Majority Weighs Loyalty to Voters — WASHINGTON — As their leaders inch toward agreeing to higher tax rates, dozens of House Republicans find themselves caught between the will of a larger American public that favors higher taxes on the rich and the wishes of constituents …

A Resistance Movement Rises Against ObamaCare — This article appears in the December 24, 2012 issue of Forbes. — (Photo credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com) — ObamaCare may be the law, but a major resistance movement has already sprouted across the U.S. Though approval …

Crafting a boom economy — Behind the Curtain: About this weekly feature — Behind the Curtain is a reported column, Web show and online conversation about the behind-the-scenes intrigue that shapes politics and policy. It will unfold every Tuesday (and beyond, when news dictates).

THE VOICES MISSING FROM THE SAFETY NET DEBATE — Something there is about the Supplemental Security Income Program of the Social Security Administration that seems to drive putative liberals to embrace their inner DeMint. Years ago, when Bill Clinton was in the White House and Newt Gingrich …

Pentagon Says Afghan Forces Still Need Assistance — WASHINGTON — As President Obama considers how quickly to withdraw the remaining 68,000 American troops in Afghanistan and turn over the war to Afghan security forces, a bleak new Pentagon report has found that only one of the Afghan …

Cayman Islands premier McKeeva Bush arrested — The premier of the Cayman Islands has been arrested as part of a corruption investigation, local police say. — The charges against McKeeva Bush, 57, include misuse of a government credit card and importing explosive materials.

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